The Monday Shakeout: The Best Shoes of 2023, Highly Specific Reasons Edition
By Bach Pham
For our last best of 2023, we're covering a few shoes that came out in the past year that really caught our eye and went on to be a bit unnoticed, despite either being innovative, useful for a specific reason, or just being interesting for what it is. PS: We've had an incredible time in 2023 bringing you over 175 written features, 200+ videos, and 51 podcasts. We're excited to do it again in 2024! Thanks so much for being a friend.
The Best Shoe for the Worst Winter Running: La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX | Review
Yes, it may weigh an exorbitant amount, but La Sportiva's Cyklon is a work of art as far as winter running is concerned. The shoe focuses first and foremost on keep you warm and dry from bottom up with it's Gore-Tex upper and water-resistant gaiter which all works to make sure you are protected from the elements. The shoe itself runs really well, with deep enough lugs to tackle a variety of terrain and a just smooth enough ride to make winter running very doable no matter where you live.
The Best Road Shoe for Trail Running: Nike Structure 25 | Review
You could have told me when giving me the Structure 25 that this was a trail shoe. With a fairly deep lug design for a road shoe and a protective upper that is very reminiscent of trail shoes with a thicker design and high sidewalls medially, our team - especially David - has had a fun time going any which way in the shoe. Perfect for those with fairly groomed trails who want a very stable trainer that can go a bit off road.
The Best Trail Shoe for Road Running: Hoka Stinson 7 | Review
Hoka quietly unleashed it's highest stacked shoe of all-time with the Hoka Stinson, and for our team it certainly didn't go unnoticed. The extra cushion lends itself to being an incredibly comfortable ride. Even with lugs, there's so much comfort that whether you are on or off the road, you'll have a really nice time. It's no surprise that its secretly David's favorite of the year.
The Easiest Shoe to Clean with a Toothbrush (and Best Shoe for Muddy Running): Saucony Peregrine 13 ST | Review
With 6.5mm lugs (some of the deepest we tested all year), the Peregrine is an absolute monster at tackling muddy conditions. It might be a little much in most other situations, but for runners who deal with slick trails on the regular, this might be your shoe of the year. Hear our full reasons on why we love the shoe in our top trail shoes discussion.
The Best Stability Low Drop Shoe for Wide Feet with No Heel Counter: Altra Provision 8 (and Paradigm 7) | Provision Review
Finding the right shoe can be a big puzzle for runners. What do you do when you have stability needs, haglunds, wide feet and issues with high drop shoes? In this case, you only have a couple of options, and both are through Altra. The Provision and Paradigm offer slightly different levels of stability for runners looking for a zero drop, anatomical-fitting, shoe with no heel counter - a complete rarity in the running shoe world. Some extra shoutouts in the stability category go to the Brooks Beast for continuing to be an absolute stability monster of a shoe and the Brooks Hyperion GTS for bringing stability racing flats back.
The Best New Shoe Entry for a Brand: Topo Atmos | Review
There were a lot of updates - including some very big ones - throughout 2023, but few genuinely new releases. The Atmos from Topo, however, continues the brand's ascension into being one of the best in the business. Their first max cushion take hits all the right notes out of the box, offering a stable, cushioned, rockered ride that competes with the best in the industry.
PAST MONDAY SHAKEOUTS
Andrea's Favorites of 2023
David's Favorites of 2023
Matt's Favorites of 2023
My Favorite Flat Feet Shoes of 2023
ChatGPT Writes a Review, Take 2
How Forefoot Helps with Toe Mobility
The Science of Running with Backpacks
How Much Does Doctors of Running Make? Report #5
Changes We're Excited to See
Why Heel Bevels are Natural
Do Heavier Runners Need Different Shoes?
Shoe Rotations for Different Runners
Strength Training to Prevent Injury - A Case Study
On the Impacts of Different Stacked Shoes
The Importance of Heel Bevels in Shoe Design
Low vs. High Drop Shoes
Why is Proprioception Important to Runners?
Best Running Movie Scenes of All-Time, Part 2
Best Running Movie Scenes of All-Time, Part 1
What a Week at DOR is Like
Reflections on Saucony's Running Economy Study
Sustainable is Only Going to Work if It's Good
A Simple Guide to Footwear and Foot Health
Best Flat Feet Shoes by a Flat Feet Runner
How Long Do Shoes Last?
SHOP | SUPPORT DOR
*Using the link to purchase helps support Doctors of Running. Thanks so much!
Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt: The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt)
Saysky Running Gear: We were really taken aback by this Scandinavian company's ultra-thin, durable performance clothing
Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor: Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cup
goodr Sunglases: Run in style with goodr's super fun sunglasses.
Feetures Socks: Massively grippy socks that will make you feel more one with the shoe
Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Water Bottle: Perfect for long runs when you need hydration in the summer
Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
Theragun Massager: This small version is great on the go for working tired legs
Ciele Hat: Our team's favorite running hat of choice!
Fractel Hats: Our team's wider fitting running hat of choice!
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Last Shakeout: Andrea's Favorites of 2023